Lance Corporal Alexander James Bain (known as Alick) was in the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), formerly Seaforth Highlanders, died 19th April 1919 at Morvich Farm, Rogart. He was 25 years old.
The following account of Alick’s death comes from Northern Times Thursday 1 May 1919
“On Tuesday of last week a representative and large gathering followed the remains of the late Alick James Bain – only son of Mr and Mrs D Bain, Morvich – to their last resting place in Rogart Cemetery, Rev. S McIver officiated at the house. Born at Morvich in 1895, Alec was in his 26th year. At the age of 15 he began work on Morvich farm on which he laboured as a ploughman for six years, he then joined the forestry work at Dunrobin, but had only completed a years service when he was called up to take his share in the defence of king and country. He entered the 5th Seaforths in 1916 and went to Ripon from where he was transferred to Grantham to the machine gun section. In June he was sent abroad with this unit and was attached to the 33rd Division and saw much fighting, especially during the last great push until the armistice was declared. He suffered from the effects of a gas attack which never seems to have been overcome. In February this year he was demobilised and returned home and like many others contracted a severe cold on the way home, an attack of pleurisy and septic pneumonia set in and he took to bed and although medical aid was called in he never recovered and finally passed away on the Saturday. Every attention was bestowed upon the sufferer during his illness and Nurse Mitchell was unremitting in kindness and devotion, both day and night. Alick was well known in the district, his quiet and kindly disposition secured him many friends and the deep sympathy and that of the general public goes out to the parents in their great bereavement.”
His parents’ acknowledgement:
“Mr and Mrs Bain desired to return sincere thanks for the many expressions of sympathy received by them on their recent bereavement. Morvich April 28, 1919”
Grateful thanks to Jean Sutherland, Elgin for providing us with her research and family photographs and and to Chris Stokes for sharing her work.